Cordia (Final Fantasy XV fanfiction)

Chapter VIII

"This is not perfect!"

"Oh, but it is!"

"L-Lady Luna-"

"Breathe in!"

"Wait, what are you-"

There was a loud, spluttering gasp, followed by a few loud coughs and heaves, before a small, "Why?" tumbled from Cordia's lips.

"Because it hurts to look beautiful," Luna said with a smile, patting her shoulders reassuringly. "Just bear with it, and it'll be over soon."

"Note to self," Cordia breathed, "Never let you do anyone's corset- I can't breathe!"

"Beauty takes pain."

"Not when it can kill me!"

"Oh, don't be such a baby! Remember who this is for!"

Luna was right, no matter how much Cordia wanted to strangle her. This was for Noctis. She'd die before she let any Niflheim soldier so much as touch him.

A few days had passed since Ardyn Izunia's arrival, and since then, none other than Iedolas Aldercapt himself had arrived in Lucis to sign the peace treaty. What was more worrying was the platoon of soldiers he brought with him; it was understandable that he was paranoid, but it was scary to think that perhaps more waited in the wings. Perhaps she was the paranoid one.

No matter what happened, she had to be ready. She would allow no harm to come to the Prince.

Noctis was readying himself, tonight. Strangely, he hadn't asked why she wouldn't be able to help him, but when she'd asked Luna, she swore that she hadn't told a soul of their plan. Perhaps Noctis already expected her to be working tonight, especially with how busy it would be.

"Are you sure this is okay?" Cordia mumbled as Luna busied around her, "We didn't even ask King Regis- I don't know if this is acceptable conduct."

"To hell with acceptable conduct, Cordia!" she exclaimed, "Regis is almost accepting of Niflheim's invasion! That's not acceptable conduct- he needed to think long and hard before inviting them here."

"I know, but-"

"But nothing," Luna jumped in, poking a finger at her, "If he has a problem with our methods of protecting his son, he can ask me about it. You won't get into trouble for this."

Cordia felt herself sighing. No matter how many times Luna said it, she couldn't help but feel panic. She'd never done anything like this before.

She just hoped her presence wouldn't be missed.

***

The ballroom was crowded, so densely packed that there was barely space to move between each person. Noctis hung by the windows, watching his father diligently as he conversed with none other than Iedolas Aldercapt. Guards of both Lucis and Niflheim stood around them.

Noctis couldn't find the logic in it. What was his father thinking? There could never be peace between Niflheim and Lucis- they had been sworn enemies since the beginning of time. It was a trick, a plot of some sort to gain an advantage, and right now, they were exposing the heart of their Kingdom to the deadliest of the Empire.

"Relax, Noctis," he heard Ignis remind him. He turned to face him with a sigh, turning his back on his father. Ignis was giving him a stern stare through the holes in his mask, and the prince briefly wondered if he could see him all that well without his glasses.

He felt almost betrayed. He'd had enough of being kept in the dark, especially after what happened with Cordia, and then now, not being told about this so-called peace treaty until just this morning when Aldercapt arrived with his soldiers in tow.